Essendon will unveil debutant Nick Bryan and welcome back defenders Jordan Ridley and James Stewart in its clash with Carlton at the MCG on Sunday.

Ridley, Stewart and Bryan come into senior coach Ben Rutten's starting 22 at the expense of Andrew Phillips (injured), Aaron Francis (ankle), Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (omitted) and David Zaharakis (omitted).

MATCH PREVIEW: BOMBERS v BLUES

Sunday's game will mark Stewart's first since the forward-turned-defender injured his hamstring in the AAMI Community Series, while Ridley returns after serving the AFL's mandatory 12-day concussion protocols.

Bryan will become the club's sixth AFL debutant this season, following in the footsteps of Nik Cox, Archie Perkins, Zach Reid, Alec Waterman and Harrison Jones.

Rutten said he was hopeful Francis and Phillips, who sustained injuries on Anzac Day, would be available for next week's clash with Greater Western Sydney.

"We're pretty confident he'll (Francis) be (available) next week. He fell a couple of days short for this week, but he's doing all his rehab and preparing himself the best he can, so hopefully he's back next week," Rutten said.

"Phillips copped a knock early in the game. We were unsure how he was going to go, but he was keen to keep playing on. In the end it was a really important role for us for him to get out there, play out the game and do really well in the ruck.

"He (Phillips) wasn't quite good enough to get up this week. Hopefully it's just one week and he'll be available next week."

The Bombers will face the Blues for the 250th time from 3:20pm AEST on Sunday. Here's the match-day guide for our home game.

ESSENDON'S ROUND SEVEN LINE-UP:

Backs: Jayden Laverde, Mason Redman, Matt Guelfi
Half-backs: Dyson Heppell, Jordan Ridley, Nick Hind
Centre: Kyle Langford, Zach Merrett, Nik Cox
Half-forwards: Devon Smith, Cale Hooker, Archie Perkins
Forwards: Jake Stringer, Harrison Jones, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
Followers: Nick Bryan, Darcy Parish, Andrew McGrath
Interchange: James Stewart, Will Snelling, Brayden Ham, Peter Wright

Emergencies: David Zaharakis, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Ned Cahill, Patrick Ambrose

In: Bryan, Ridley, Stewart

Out: Francis (ankle), Phillips (injured), Zerk-Thatcher (omitted), Zaharakis (omitted)

Last week's sub: Zaharakis (used)

New: Nick Bryan (Oakleigh Chargers, pick No.38 in 2019 NAB AFL Draft)

Milestone: Darcy Parish (100 AFL games)